Rating Mel Brooks' movies

As the legendary comedian and director gets an AFI lifetime achievement award, lets take a look at his films.

By C.J. Lais

on June 6, 2013 1:00 AM

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Although he’s devoted his efforts to the Broadway stage for the past decade-and-a-half, legendary funnyman and filmmaker Mel Brooks is getting one of the ultimate movie honors: The American Film Institute’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
He’s in good company – just a few of the 40 recipients who came before
him include: Orson Welles, James Cagney, Bette Davis, Henry Fonda, Jimmy
Stewart, Alfred Hitchcock, Barbara Stanwyck, Kirk Douglas, Sidney
Poitier, Jack Nicholson, Meryl Streep, Clint Eastwood and Martin
Scorsese.

And of course, this got us thinking: What are Mel’s best movies? As a
writer-director, his output is relatively small. Just 11 movies. And
Lord knows, there is quite a difference in quality among them, despite
them all sharing a belief in comedy anarchy. So what else could we do
but rank them? Check out our gallery of Mel Brooks movies from worst to
best (all based on my personal preferences, naturally) and then keep
going to see some “out of contention” titles, films that Brooks produced
and most times fall far outside his comedy wheelhouse. (I haven’t
ranked these, partly because I haven’t seen all of them, but just know
that the first several are very, very good).

Although he’s devoted his efforts to the Broadway stage for the past decade-and-a-half, legendary funnyman and filmmaker Mel Brooks is getting one of the ultimate movie honors: The American Film Institute’s ... more

Photo: Courtesy SHN

Although he’s devoted his efforts to the Broadway stage for the... Photo-2410244.63672 - Times Union

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11. DRACULA: DEAD AND LOVING IT (1995) Mel's last directing effort came three years after the Francis Ford Coppola film it spoofs, and years too early for the current vampire resurgence. Needless to say, it was ... dead (groan) on arrival. less

11. DRACULA: DEAD AND LOVING IT (1995) Mel's last directing effort came three years after the Francis Ford Coppola film it spoofs, and years too early for the current vampire resurgence. Needless to say, it was ... more

This one was a little closer timewise to it satiric source - 1991's 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.' And it had some funny moments, as well as lead Cary Elwes in familiar 'Princess Bride' territory. But the Mel Brooks formula had clearly seen better days. And personally, I preferred his like-themed 70s sitcom, 'When Things Were Rotten.'

This one was a little closer timewise to it satiric source - 1991's 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.' And it had some funny moments, as well as lead Cary Elwes in familiar ... more

10. ROBIN HOOD: MEN IN TIGHTS (1993) This one was a little... Photo-4716473.63672 - Times Union

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9. LIFE STINKS (1991)

Was he thinking at all when he named this one? Can we at least give him points for trying something original, new and a tiny bit more straightforward than usual.

9. LIFE STINKS (1991)

Was he thinking at all when he named this one? Can we at least give him points for trying something original, new and a tiny bit more straightforward than usual.

9. LIFE STINKS (1991) Was he thinking at all when he named this... Photo-4716474.63672 - Times Union

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8. SPACEBALLS (1987)

A cult favorite and a touchstone for a certain age group and/or demographic. Over the years, Mel and his cast members have chalked this up to the same reason its jokes are pitched to a baser level: sci-fi movies appeal to young boys and men. The movie always left me a little cold, though. Coming out well after all the 'Star Wars' films it skewers didn't help either. And Bill Pullman, Daphne Zuniga and Rick Moranis are no Gene Wilder, Madeline Kahn and Harvey Korman.

A cult favorite and a touchstone for a certain age group and/or demographic. Over the years, Mel and his cast members have chalked this up to the same reason its jokes are pitched to a baser ... more

8. SPACEBALLS (1987) A cult favorite and a touchstone for a... Photo-4716475.63672 - Times Union

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7. SILENT MOVIE (1976)

Underrated Mel Brooks. It;'s not up higher simply because the six above it are so good. Maybe it isn't mentioned in the same breath as the 'classics' because the public's anti-silence feeling is even stronger than its anti-black-and-white one. But it's a surprising (although it shouldn't be) love letter to film.

A particular favorite. You don't need to be a Hitchcock fan (I am) to 'get' the humor or appreciate the inspired plot, but it couldn't hoit. And by the way, that guy going all Norman Bates in the clip above, probably the most famous scene in the movie? That's future Oscar-winning director Barry Levinson ('Rain Man'), a co-writer on the film. Oh, and there's also a great Mel-sung theme song.

A particular favorite. You don't need to be a Hitchcock fan (I am) to 'get' the humor or appreciate the inspired plot, but it couldn't hoit. And by the way, that guy going all Norman Bates ... more

6. HIGH ANXIETY (1977) A particular favorite. You don't... Photo-4716477.63672 - Times Union

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5. THE TWELVE CHAIRS (1970)

You'd be forgiven for thinking you had stumbled into a Woody Allen film; this one's based on a 1928 satiric Russian novel. Brooks' most 'serious' movie, it's still a romp about a missing fortune sewed into the titular furniture. Has grown in critical perception since its mixed reviews upon release.

Uneven and all-over the place, literally, it also one of the most flat-out funny of all Mel Brooks movies. And most likely his most quotable. Go ahead, you know you want to recite some. No worries, we'll wait.

Uneven and all-over the place, literally, it also one of the most flat-out funny of all Mel Brooks movies. And most likely his most quotable. Go ahead, you know you want to ... more

4. HISTORY OF THE WORLD, PART I (1981) Uneven and all-over the... Photo-4716479.63672 - Times Union

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3. THE PRODUCERS (1968)

The one that started it all, in so many ways. The Broadway musical adaptation is a whole different animal so you can't even compare. But the 2005 movie version of the stage smash doesn't hold a candle to this. Still responsible for Mel's one and only Oscar (he was nominated twice for 'Blazing Saddles'). And the combo of Gene Wilder and Zero Mostel is sublime AND ridiculous.

The one that started it all, in so many ways. The Broadway musical adaptation is a whole different animal so you can't even compare. But the 2005 movie version of the stage smash doesn't ... more

3. THE PRODUCERS (1968) The one that started it all, in so many... Photo-4716480.63672 - Times Union

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2. BLAZING SADDLES (1974)

Justly acknowledged as a groundbreaking and important film by many, a good portion of the audience still focuses on the lowbrow and borderline (and in many cases, border-jumping) humor. They're missing the point because that IS the point. Or one of dozens, anyway. One of the funniest movies ever, and one of the smartest and wittiest. It is on my very small list of movies that I could watch on a continual loop for days.

For me, the apex, the zenith, the peak of the Mel Brooks canon. All of his skills coalesced into a stunning work of art that can stand with the greats of American film. And like many of his films, an unabashed love letter to movies and moviemaking, in this case, 30s and 40s horror classics. If you don't feel the same way about 'Young Frankenstein,' well, you're just Abby Normal.